Bank Alfalah, one of Pakistan’s leading commercial banks, has partnered with the Center for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at IBA Karachi to conduct EmpowerED, a five-day intensive training aimed at equipping digital content creators with essential skills in financial literacy, online safety, and responsible digital engagement.
This strategic collaboration is rooted in the recognition that the content creator economy in Pakistan is expanding rapidly, fueled by rising digital penetration and evolving media consumption habits. According to the Digital 2025 Global Overview Report, Pakistan had 66.9 million active social media user identities as of January 2025, making up 26.4 percent of the country’s total population. In parallel, the Global System for Mobile Communications Association reported 190 million mobile connections, representing over 75 percent coverage of the population.
With a growing number of individuals building livelihoods as independent creators and digital entrepreneurs, Bank Alfalah identified a critical need to bridge gaps in digital and financial knowledge. The EmpowerED program was designed to address this, with a curriculum that covered everything from budgeting and platform monetization to content strategy, online fraud prevention, and digital well-being.
Over the five-day course, 15 selected participants from diverse content niches were guided by an experienced panel of industry experts. Sessions focused on helping them strengthen their digital presence, engage audiences ethically, and adopt secure online practices. Practical modules introduced them to core financial tools and principles needed to manage freelance income, mitigate cyber risks, and ensure long-term sustainability of their digital careers.
Commenting on the initiative, Shahzeb Jillani, Director at IBA-CEJ, noted the evolving role of creators in shaping public narratives and influencing digital culture. “As this space matures, it’s vital that creators are well-equipped with foundational knowledge in digital responsibility and financial planning. CEJ remains committed to developing critical media and digital capacity in Pakistan, and this partnership is an extension of that vision.”
Madiha Javed Qureshi, Head of Communications at Bank Alfalah, emphasized the broader impact of the initiative. “We’re witnessing a shift where digital and financial awareness are no longer optional. EmpowerED represents our commitment to providing actionable tools that help creators protect themselves online and make informed financial choices. It’s about strengthening the very fabric of Pakistan’s digital economy.”
The program featured a distinguished lineup of mentors and guest speakers, including Kazi Akber and Riffat Rashid from the content creation space, Faisal Sheikh, Co-founder of Jack of Digital, Mutahir Khan from Data Darbar, cybersecurity specialist Mudabbir Jamil, learning and development expert Ahsan Mankee, Talal Ahsan of iVerify, marketing consultant Ahsan Aghai, and Fariha Aziz from advocacy group Bolo Bhi. Their diverse insights provided a real-world grounding to the theoretical knowledge shared throughout the training.
EmpowerED marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s broader efforts to enable a secure, knowledgeable, and empowered digital community. The partnership between Bank Alfalah and IBA-CEJ is a forward-looking capacity building initiative that aims to cultivate a responsible creator ecosystem—one that contributes meaningfully to national discourse, supports economic growth, and upholds digital integrity.